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Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with ground beef and cheese are the healthy version of spaghetti. They are SUPER easy to prepare, and done in less than 30 minutes!
Original recipe posted: October 2016 | Recipe updated: October 2020
Why This Recipe Works
I always talk about the delicious food my mom made growing up. Sometimes her kitchen creations were not typical kid fare, such as steamed artichokes and pickled mushrooms (yum and yum). Stuffed spaghetti squash was another food made frequently in our home.
There’s something about the stringy texture of the squash and how melted butter enhances the flavor of it sooo much. Also, just about every type of food tastes great with it. It acts as a great side dish for just about any meal, but it can also be a stand-alone lunch or dinner option.
Filling a perfectly cooked spaghetti squash with a hearty beef and pasta sauce mixture is one of my favorite ways to prepare squash!
Aside from its total yumminess, the thing I love most about this recipe is how easy it is to make! Prepare the meat sauce ahead of time or pull some out of the freezer. Or open a jar from the store and this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes!
How To Make Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Step 1
In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef. Cook and stir until no longer pink. Drain and add spaghetti sauce, stir to combine, and cook until heated through.
Step 2
Microwave option – this is a quicker option if you prefer fast and microwaveable.
Puncture squash all over with a fork. One at a time, place squash in microwave and heat on high heat for 10 minutes or until squash is soft to the touch.
Oven option – this is easy to do but will take a little longer.
Place the halved pieces of squash on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 400 for 35 minutes.
Instant Pot option – my favorite method of all!
Follow the instructions in this spaghetti squash recipe to cook it perfectly in your Instant Pot.
Step 3
Cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds with a spoon. Discard the seeds. Comb through flesh with a fork to make “noodles” that are healthy and place two pats of butter on each half. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Step 4
Divide the meat sauce between the squash halves. Top with cheese. If you are going to complete this in the microwave, cook for 1 minute or until the cheese melts.
In the oven, preheat to 350 degress F. Place squash in a baking dish and let the cheese get nice and melty, about 15 minutes.
Top with fresh parsley and serve immediately!
Recipe Notes
- Substitute beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor.
- Imagine the possibilities when stuffing your own squash! Typical spaghetti toppings are amazing, but anything could work. Add sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, green peppers, varying types of cheese and herbs, the options are endless.
- This recipe easily becomes vegetarian by using tomato sauce and omitting the meat. Add chopped veggies such as bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini or carrots to make it chunky and thick.
- Start with some delicious Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce or stovetop spaghetti sauce if you don’t have a jar of sauce in your pantry or you’d like to make your own homemade sauce. To simplify even further, make a batch of pasta sauce from tomato sauce or tomato paste!
- If using spaghetti sauce to spruce up this recipe, learn how to thicken it easily. If you make too much, here are a handful of delicious leftover pasta sauce recipe ideas!
Marinara vs Spaghetti Sauce
So close in texture, color and flavor that you could call them cousins! Let’s get to the heart of the issue and explore marinara vs spaghetti sauce. What are the differences?!
If you find yourself with a weak batch of marinara, learn how tothicken marinara sauce easily!
Check out this guide to learnhow long spaghetti sauce lasts in the fridge.
How To Select Spaghetti Squash
Look for small and slightly oblong/round yellow squash for the perfect dinner.
Can I Make This Recipe In Advance
Prepare the squash up to 5 days in advance. Cook the squash, bring it to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Benefits of Spaghetti Squash
They are gluten-free and low carb! That’s a big deal if you’re cutting wheat out of your diet or just incorporating more healthy options into your meals. Best of all, they taste great and allow you to enjoy spaghetti the healthy way!
Healthy Side Dish Recipes
Don’t stop with this Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe. Check out a few of my other favorite easy, healthy dishes!
- Roasted Butternut Squash and Apples – The best way to prepare these two foods together is in the oven! The apples and cinnamon add a touch of sweetness. This delicious side dish goes great with any meal!
- Replace rice with this veggie-packed Cauliflower Mushroom Rice. It’s easy to make and done in 15 minutes. Packed with flavor and texture plus this recipe also complies with the Whole30 program!
- Enjoy the ingredients inside an egg roll minus the carbs and calories. This Egg Roll In A Bowl is great as an easy dinner or salad. Done in 20 minutes and supremely delicious!
- Make grilled cabbage to the next level by making Grilled Cabbage Steaks! Top them with shaved Parmesan cheese, bbq sauce or just a simple pat of butter.
Ground Beef and Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipes
Simplify dinner tonight! Create an easy, affordable and delicious meal using two hearty main ingredients. Click over for a handful of ground beef and cream of mushroom soup recipes!
- Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
- Oven Roasted Butternut Squash
- Runza Casserole
- How to Cut Butternut Squash (and peel it, too!)
- Butternut Squash Soup with Cream Cheese
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Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Ground Beef and Cheese Recipe
Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with ground beef and cheese are the healthy version of spaghetti. They are SUPER easy to prepare, and done in less than 30 minutes!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 756kcal
Author: Megan Porta
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 28 oz spaghetti sauce
- 2 spaghetti squash
- 4 tbsp butter cut into 8 pats
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley chopped
Instructions
In a skillet over medium heat, cook beef until no longer pink. Drain and add spaghetti sauce and cook until heated through.
Puncture squash all over with a fork. One at a time, place squash in microwave and heat on high heat for 10 minutes or until squash is soft to the touch. Cut in half lengthwise and scoop out (and discard) seeds with a spoon. Comb through flesh with a fork and place two pats of butter on each half.
Divide the sauce between the squash halves. Top each with 1/2 cup cheese and microwave for 1 minute (optional). Top with fresh parsley and serve immediately!
Notes
- Substitute beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor.
- Imagine the possibilities when stuffing your own squash! Typical spaghetti toppings are amazing, but anything could work. Add sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, green peppers, varying types of cheese and herbs, the options are endless.
- This recipe easily becomes vegetarian by using tomato sauce and omitting the meat. Add chopped veggies such as bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini or carrots to make it chunky and thick.
- Start with some delicious Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce if you don’t have a jar of sauce available or you’d like to make your own homemade sauce. It’s perfect for freezing, too, so you won’t waste anything!
Nutrition
Calories: 756kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 155mg | Sodium: 1653mg | Potassium: 1548mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 2488IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 449mg | Iron: 6mg
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